Dwellers of Mudfort 2bhk dignity housing fume over non-inclusion in 200 units of free power

HYDERABAD: Residents of the 2BHK Dignity Housing colony in Mudfort of Gandhinagar in the Gymkhana area of Secunderabad are a worried lot. They applied for the 200-unit free power scheme under ‘Gruha Jyothi’ during ‘Praja Palana’ but received full electricity bills without deductions. They were also asked to pay the total amount by March 15, 2024.

They were all eligible as they were holding white ration cards and had an average of less than 200 units of monthly consumption during the past year. They all applied for the 200-unit free power benefit during Praja Palana (December 28, 2023, to January 6, 2024).

However, they received bills without any deduction of 200 units of free power. “We have received a bill for Rs 467 and our consumption was 160 units per month on an average during the past year,” said Shekhar speaking to NewsTAP on Sunday.

The connection (SC No BZ080033) is in his mother’s name Gangu Bai. They live in flat number 3, third floor, fourth block of the Dignity Housing colony. The family’s average consumption during the past three months was well within the limits of 100 units and the average bill used to be Rs 460.

Sudarshan (SC No BZ080150) in flat number five of B Block received a bill for Rs 661 with an average units of consumption of 162 units. “We immediately rushed to the TSSPDCL office at Gymkhana and they sent their officer to our 2bhk colony. They asked us to pay the bill first and later they would adjust the extra amount paid if the application is accepted, “Sudarshan said.

However, some of the residents of the dignity housing colony received the zero bill benefit much to the fury of the remaining applicants who were hoping for the benefit.

The State Government launched the Gruha Jyothi Scheme as part of its six guarantees election promise.

Under the scheme, applicants, who were found eligible to use free electricity up to 200 units would get the benefits of the scheme from March 2024 for the bills of February.

The Government, however, imposed certain conditions to people to avail themselves of the benefit:

• One must have a residential/domestic electricity connection.

• The connection should have been registered in their name.

• The average monthly electricity consumption for the year 2022-2023 should be less than 200 units.